The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Oceans

As someone who has always been fascinated with the oceans and the vast differences between them, this is a great book to learn about the Earth's huge bodies of water. This is a must-read for the junior scientist or the person who is interested in this multifaceted subject.

Of course one has to be predisposed to an interest in this topic, but if you saw David Attenbourrough's recent Blue Planet Series you will come away with a similar impression but a much more in-depth knowledge of the subject. As a former oceanography student I can say that this book is aimed at readers of all levels of knowledge. They make a potentially dry topic (no pun meant) quite interesting. The chapters consist of describiing estuaries in the land-sea ecotome to the barren and alien quality of the abyssal plain. Marine flora and fauna are featured prominently. I recommend this for anyone with a casual interest and greater. Looks good on a bookshelf also!